Michelle Dardashti

Background

About Michelle Dardashti

Rabbi Michelle Dardashti is a teacher, leader and preacher adept at translating Torah values to diverse audiences; she is a strong relationship builder, community organizer and fundraiser, dedicated to nourishing a Judaism which is broad and deep and engaged with the world. Daughter of an Iranian hazzan (cantor) and American folk-singer of Eastern European descent, and married to an Australian Jew, Michelle brings to her roles a deep understanding of global Jewry, Jewish music, practice and culture, and a commitment to fostering pluralistic communities. Rabbi Dardashti was ordained and received a Masters in Jewish Education from the Jewish Theological Seminary. She served as Director of Community Engagement at Temple Beth El in Stamford, Connecticut, engaging those at the fringes of the community, such as young families, teens, and young professionals. Prior to that role, Dardashti was the Marshall T. Meyer Rabbinic Fellow at Congregation B'nai Jeshurun in Manhattan for two years, where she had the privilege of teaching and leading prayer within one of the country's most vibrant congregations. Before JTS, Michelle lived in Uruguay-teaching, volunteering at Hillel, and writing for the Jewish Telegraphic Agency-and in Israel-first on a Dorot Fellowship and, later, working for the Nesiya Institute. During rabbinical school in Manhattan, Michelle served as Director of Family Programming at Shaare Zedek, educator for Interfaith Community, chaplain at Bellevue Hospital and rabbi and cantor for JTS's free, walk-in High Holy Day services. She was also trained in Congregation-Based Community Organizing through Jewish Funds for Justice and traveled to El Salvador as part of an American Jewish World Service Rabbinical Student Delegation. Dardashti served as Rabbi of Brown RISD Hillel and Associate University Chaplain for the Jewish Community at Brown for 9 years. She made a move from College Hill in Providence to Cobble Hill in Brooklyn in the summer of 2022 to serve as spiritual leader of the historic Kane Street Synagogue. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband, Nathan Sher, and their three children.